Today is world suicide prevention day, with the theme of ‘Changing the narrative on suicide’. A culture of silence and lack of understanding needs to shift towards one of empathy and support, where open and honest conversations can take place.

Autistic people are at a higher risk of thinking about and attempting suicide than non-autistic people (National Autistic Society, 2025). A review across global research studies also shows that 1 in 4 autistic young people experience suicidal ideation, and nearly 1 in 10 attempt suicide (L. O’Halloran et al., 2022, Clinical Psychology Review).

We spoke to Caehryn Tinker, Senior Specialist Intervention Advisor at Aspens' Specialist and Family Support team, about ways autistic young people can be affected and action that can be taken to help them.

Caehryn wants to remind anyone struggling that they are not alone and through our support at Aspens, we are working to change the narrative on suicide.

Do many of the young people you support experience suicidal thoughts or feel suicidal?

Yes, sadly we have seen an increase in referrals of this nature.

Self-harm can take so many forms.  

Alongside individuals who feel suicidal, some have experienced voices that tell them to harm themselves or to kill themselves. This can be very distressing for the young person and extremely worrying for their families.

Do you feel this is a growing problem and if so why?

As we have seen more young people referred with such difficulties it would seem this is a growing problem.

Autism can often have a co-morbid condition alongside mental health conditions such as depression. Recognising and regulating emotions can also be challenging.

If we also think of the areas some people on the autism spectrum may find difficult, such as social interaction, then isolation can be more of an issue. They may also be finding an area of their life difficult, such as the pressures of school or work, fitting in, masking, following rules and expectations, as well as sensory overload.

How do you support young people and their families who may be feeling like this?

First of all, having someone to listen to them who understands their anxiety, and possible burnout, whilst helping them to understand their needs and providing some coping strategies. We also advocate neuroaffirming approaches to wider networks.

Providing a routine and structure can be very helpful. This includes productive activities they enjoy and positive experiences. For example, some of the young people that we support who love animals have attended a working farm. Keeping busy is important, but you also have to balance it with what they can manage at that time, taking small steps and building up gradually. Engaging in a passion provides a positive experience and focus for the individual.

Support for parents is also important and helping them to know what to do in a moment of crisis; this can be a very scary and lonely place. And of course we must not forget siblings who often also require support.

Many of the young people that we support may have only just got a diagnosis of autism whilst being supported for their mental health. Because of this, it is important to help them and their family to understand their autism diagnosis. It is important for the individual and their family to know how their autism diagnosis impacts them, and how they can manage this. A diagnosis can be so helpful in making sense of why they may have found this so hard in the past.  

What advice would you give to young people or families who may be experiencing such feelings?

You are not alone, please do not suffer in silence. Speak to someone close to you, speak to your GP and go to A and E if you need immediate help. Parents can also raise their concerns through the Multi Agency safeguarding hub (MASH) for their area and Young Minds have some fantastic resources (see links below). There are many people out there who want to and will help. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

Request support from Aspens

Useful links

Kent

West Sussex

East Sussex

Bexley

Further advice from National Autistic Society

Young Minds